June 21, 2015

The Truth Is...

You're looking at this table filled to overflowing with barbecue goodness at Brooklyn's Morgan's BBQ, and you're thinking I'll regale you with tales of Papa Vamp introducing me to my first-ever taste of slow smoked brisket. Well, the truth is that I don't think Dad and I've ever gone out for real deal 'cue together.

But, it is Father's Day, so I felt that a meaty spread was a necessity in order to capture your attention. And, while my father didn't teach me about the beauty of Texas-style smoked meats, I do have one particular Papa Vamp food memory that makes me smile - his Sunday morning "Bagel Supreme" ritual. When I was a kid, every couple of Sundays or so, he'd come back from the local deli and sit at the kitchen table, cutting a sesame bagel in half, scooping out the innards, slathering cream cheese on both sides, layering each with belly lox, adding sliced tomato and lettuce before merging the two halves together to make a whole.

This was Papa Vamp's specialty.

And on this Father's Day, while I think I might need to take him out for some proper barbecue the next time we get together, I'm also hoping that we can share a "Bagel Supreme" at Sunday brunch.